The media landscape is shifting, and at ReachFWD LDN 2026, held at the historic Somerset House, we demonstrated exactly how we are leading that charge. We chose this venue because it mirrors our own story: a place defined by history and trust that has evolved into a global hub for creativity.
Under the theme “From Paper to Pixel,” Reach FWD 2026 brought together industry leaders to explore our evolution from a traditional print publisher into a dynamic, digital-first media partner. At the heart of this transformation is our core proposition: Where People Live.
Redefining Relevance in a Digital World
For Reach, “Where People Live” is no longer just a geographic location. It is the intersection of audience values, passions, and the digital communities they inhabit – whether that is a social feed scroll, an online forum, or the local terraces.
Maria Purcell, opening the event, noted that, “while our heritage in print provides an unmatched foundation of trust, our future is defined by a video-first mindset. In an era plagued by “AI slop” and misinformation, our legacy-stretching back to 1711, acts as a powerful differentiator. We are leveraging that authenticity to lead across every platform.”
ReachFWD: Spotlight on Studio
Live from Somerset House, we put a primary spotlight on Reach Studio, our dedicated hub for transforming legacy trust into high-growth digital performance. Interim Studio Director, Mark Melling, emphasised that moving from “Paper to Pixel” is about more than just moving content to a screen; it is about evolving how brands connect with audiences where they are most attentive.
To drive this connection, we’ve invested heavily in:
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National Scale, Local Resonance: With studios in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Glasgow, we employ over 100 video producers and editors embedded nationwide.
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A Video-First Future: We are meeting audiences where they live now – on social platforms and in video environments where sight, sound, and motion drive loyalty.
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Data-Led Strategy: Our planning is powered by Engine, a centralised data platform using AI Agents to uncover deep audience insights.
The LIVE Planning Framework
Jenny Shevlin, Planning Director, introduced the LIVE framework, which ensures our work reaches audiences in the most effective way:
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Location: Mapping geographic and digital footprints.
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Interests: Aligning with what audiences are reading and sharing.
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Values: Grounding messages in the causes and attitudes that drive our readers.
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Engagement: Understanding the specific “how” and “why” of audience interaction.
Expanding the Slate: Formats and Live Experiences
A major highlight of the day was the announcement of Reach Live Experiences, a new events and experiential offering. Led by the team behind the Pride of Britain awards, this initiative allows brands to move beyond the screen and into the real world through physical, meaningful moments that drive advocacy and social amplification.
Our 2026 content slate also showcases the breadth of our digital formats:
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All Out Football: Our fan-first channel has already hit over 60 million views, featuring premium documentaries and weekly shows like In The Mixer.
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All Out Gaming: With 6.1 million YouTube views last year, this brand is fully geared up for major 2026 releases like GTA6.
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OK! Loves: Reimagining nostalgia for a social-first audience with fashion-focused video offerings like Off The Rails.
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Cash Queens: Taking a beloved decade-long Mirror column and evolving it into a multi-platform digital franchise for 8.1 million female readers.
Sophie Tigue, Head of Content Strategy & Innovation said, “The biggest change in our creative output has been our unapologetic pivot to meet audiences where they are now, and that is in video and on social platforms, where we have supercharged our commercial video offering. This isn’t just adding a video editor to the team; it’s a structural transformation. We have brought in new Creative Producers with years of dedicated video production experience to drive bigger, bolder ideas across every campaign.”
Why It Matters for Brands
The results of this evolution are already clear. Over the last six months, Reach Studio has seen an increase in winning briefs. As Sophie Tighe, Head of Content Strategy and Innovation, shared, clients are increasingly engaged by the innovation coming out of Reach, noting that our ideas have “editorial integrity at their heart”.
By integrating commercial thinking with powerful editorial insights, we don’t just “borrow” audience trust; we apply data-led creativity to it to ensure your brand becomes part of stories that people actively choose to spend time with.
Moving Forward Together
ReachFWD 2026 was a celebration of how far we’ve come and a bold statement of where we are going. We are building a richer, faster, and more visual future where brands can connect with real relevance at a national scale.
Get in touch, and together, we can discuss how our 2026 slate and LIVE framework can drive growth for your next campaign.
